Chuck, you can withdraw with C-Cards at most ATM but be aware of the fees and the daily limit (around 20,000 Peso)
Don't know about the US but BDO (former Equitable bank) has branches in Europe where you can make wired transfers from your normal account to BDO and than transfer it to your BDO in the Philippines.
While 50K is a handful of money it can be gone pretty fast. The PI are not that cheap for living. Many people do the mistake to judge from a few weeks holiday.
With business are a lot of different considerations to make. A foreigner can't own business here in general. a corporation can but 60% need to be Filipino owned and you need a initial investment of 50K.
Teaching jobs are not really that well paid to make a proper living out of it. Of course it also depends on the area you are planning to go but be VERY cautious. In my 9 years here I saw many people coming with big plans and leaving (if they still have the money for a ticket) with nothing.
cheers
Rhoody |